The Weightlifting Star of Nike's Latest Ad Has a Surprising Backstory

Film Is Part of 'Inner Strength' Documentary Series

Nike profiles Amna Al Haddad, a female weightlifter from the United Arab Emirates who hopes to quality for Rio 2016, as part of its "Inner Strength" series of online documentaries.

Not only is she from a minority group -- a Muslim woman in a male-dominated sport -- but Al Haddad's story is ultra-inspiring -- just a few years ago she was a journalist with an unhealthy lifestyle.

The black and white film, created in-house and directed by Zak Marx out of Swanson Studio, shows Al Haddad working out in her headscarf and Nike gear, and explaining how she became an athlete who fell in love with weightlifting after going to the gym and taking part in CrossFit. Al Haddad's story will also feature in Nike Training Twitter and Instagram channels, and you can click to buy some of her favorite Nike products straight from Nike's blog.